We seem to be shocked by the news of a Hamilton County deputy being indicted and charged with over 40 criminal charges with at least 25 of those charges being felonies, ranging from child rape, sexual assault of a minor, child molestation, and the one that has shocked most of us is the alleged forced baptism.

When I heard of the baptism I had to pause, I was not sure if I heard the information correctly. I honestly thought that was a little too bizarre and in no way could it be true.  Religion and government do not go together. 

Even though Mr. Wilkey is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.  Wearing a badge, carrying a gun with a costume does not make you a superhero, if you are doing good by the people then that makes you a good person, and very good at what you do. 

The people are watching you just as you are watching the people. 

Do not say that you are just doing your job when you violate a person's right, that is simply a lame excuse to do wrong.

There are too many good officers that deserve to be recognized and this is what we are forced to discuss. We all should support our law enforcement, and law enforcement should always do right by the people even if you are outnumbered. We will not allow this to fall on them all.

We can not be so arrogant to think that it could not be going on here in Hamilton County. Recognizing the problem, and making an effort to fix the problem, instead of making excuses. If we want law and order on the streets, then we must have law and order in law enforcement also.

Daniel Wilkey can not argue that he acted in "good faith", or that his unlawful conduct was "authorized by law".

Officers are in many cases cleared of any wrong doing in court under qualified immunity. The Supreme Court stated that this standard protects "all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law."

Qualified immunity permits law enforcement or government officials to get away with violating a person's constitutional rights and too many times victims get no remedy in court. The purpose of the civil rights act was to give victims a remedy in court when their constitutional and civil rights were violated, yet we have gotten away from that promise. Rest assured that change is coming and that there is a collation building.

One bad officer has the ability to do irreversible damage to an entire department. We can not be fools to think though that there aren't others like him. If they are here in Hamilton County then they will cause their own destruction eventually. 

Thank you, District Attorney Neal Pinkston, for fighting against the injustices that have been inflicted on the people. When you are doing something right then you will have many enemies. 

We all know that racism exist in law enforcement and police brutality is running rampant in the country. Violence will not bring any form of lasting peace. Will this type of behavior be tolerated, or will today be the day that we end it? What will our history be?

Tonya R. McBryar